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Somalia: Hundreds of thousands threatened by drought

Report
IRIN
NAIROBI, 1 March (IRIN) - An estimated 200,000 pastoralists in Somalia's northern and central regions are threatened by prolonged drought considered the worst in 30 years, a flash report by the European Commission and USAID funded FAO/FSAU - Food Security Analysis Unit, and USAID funded FEWS-Net warned.
The report said the rains that fell in the area were below average, leading to massive livestock deaths, loss of normal income sources through milk and meat sales, sharp price increases for water trucking, increasing indebtedness and for the worst affected
IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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Afghanistan + 1 other
Pakistan: UNHCR to resume repatriations to Afghanistan from Tuesday

Report
IRIN
ISLAMABAD, 1 March (IRIN) - The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is set to resume on Tuesday a repatriation process for Afghan refugees in Pakistan that was suspended last November following the murder of a UNHCR employee in Afghanistan.
"The repatriation will resume tomorrow," UNHCR spokesman Jack Redden told IRIN in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Monday. Refugees would be assisted in their effort to return from repatriation centres across Pakistan, he added.

"The repatriation is under way from

IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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Chechnya: Displaced persons camps in Ingushetia to close

Three tent camps in Ingushetia that collectively house some 25,000 displaced persons from Chechnya are to be closed by the end of March, ITAR-TASS reported on 27 February, quoting a Chechen Interior Ministry official. On 29 February, Igor Yunash, who is first deputy head of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Interior Ministry, said that the Bart camp will close within days, as there are only 20 families with a total of 67 people still living there. Chechen Deputy Prime Minister Bekhlis Badaeva told ITAR-TASS on 29 February that the Chechen government
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty:

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Disaster mitigation a focus of CWS work in Indonesia

The month of February brought three disasters to Indonesia - an earthquake in West Sumatra, another in eastern Papua province, and a flash flood in East Jakarta. CWS is also monitoring an active volcano south of Jakarta.
Disaster preparedness and capacity building trainings aimed at mitigating such disasters are a major focus of the ongoing work of CWS Indonesia, and equipping partners in their response efforts.
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Iraqi leaders agree on basic law, amid mounting casualties

BAGHDAD, March 1 (AFP) - Iraqi leaders reached agreement early Monday to draw up a basic law, a major step on the road to winning back sovereignty, as Polish troops shot dead a bus driver and wounded several others at a checkpoint.

"We just broke out (of the meeting). The Fundamental Law has been concluded. An agreement has been concluded, there is consensus on every single point," said Entifadh Qanbar, representative of Iraqi National Council head Ahmad Shalabi.

The 25 council members, with guidance from US overseer Paul Bremer, have been working day and night to finalise

Agence France-Presse:

©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.

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Morocco: Distribution of 800 Red Cross Red Crescent tents to earthquake survivors

Report
IFRC
Geneva, 1st March 2004 - Moroccan Red Crescent staff and volunteers distributed 800 tents provided by Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to survivors of last Tuesday's violent earthquake which left nearly 600 people dead and several hundred injured in the area around the city of Al-Hoceima, on Morocco's Mediterranean coast.
The distribution was carried out in several villages in the districts of Im Zouren and Tamasint, in the province of Al Hoceima, on Saturday and Sunday. To date, twelve planeloads of relief goods sent by Red Cross and Red Crescent
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Tamils warn talks delay could trigger break up of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, March 1 (AFP) - Moderate ethnic Tamils Monday unveiled their manifesto for April parliamentary elections with a warning that delays in resolving Sri Lanka's bloody ethnic conflict could lead to a break-up of the island nation.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which includes proxies of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, said in a nine-page document that they wanted a new government here to immediately revive peace talks with Tiger rebels.

"The Sinhala nation should come forward soon to resume peace talks with the LTTE for establishing an Interim

Agence France-Presse:

©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.

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Cáritas Haití pide la mediación internacional para evitar un desenlace violento de la actual crisis

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Caritas
Cáritas. Madrid, 1 de marzo de 2004.- El director de Cáritas Haití, Wilnus Tilus, considera vital para el futuro inmediato de este país caribeño la mediación de la comunidad internacional con objeto "de fortalecer una solución negociada" entre los partidarios del ex presidente Aristíde y las fuerzas rebeldes, y de acompañar "la reconstrucción económica, social y política" de la isla. En una conversación mantenida esta mañana entre Cáritas Española y Cáritas Haití, el padre Tilus ha expresado sus temores ante la situación creada tras la salida
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Morocco: Spain responds - 11 airplanes, €20 million in aid - update 1 Mar 2004

ALHUCEMAS (MOROCCO): SITUATION REPORT 4
Latest updates are underlined

1. The Alhucemas earthquake, which hit in the early hours of Tuesday 24th February, has caused 572 deaths and hundreds of wounded.

2. HM the King, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs each offered Spain's aid to their Moroccan counterparts as soon as they were informed of the news (the Moroccan Foreign Minister later gave a more specific indication of the aid that would be necessary).

3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, through

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US Marines land in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 29 (AFP) - A small group of US Marines landed in Haiti late Sunday as a vanguard of an international security force following the departure of President Jean Bertrand Aristide.
Two military-type planes were seen landing in darkness at the Port-au-Prince airport and a group was later seen leaving one of the planes.

But it was not clear how many had arrived to spearhead the vanguard of the international force that will seek to re-establish order.

"We are here to protect American interests," a US Marine major said at the airport.

Agence France-Presse:

©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.

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French troops arrive in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 1 (AFP) - Dozens of French troops arrived Monday in Haiti, joining US Marines and Canadian Special Forces already on the ground in the crisis-wracked country.

The troops arrived at the international airport in Port-au-Prince on two transport planes early Monday morning. A third plane was expected, bringing to 150 the number of French troops in the Haitian capital.

France also has dispatched a platoon of gendarmes from a special riot control unit to help maintain order in Haiti after President Jean Bertrand Aristide resigned and fled into exile on Sunday.

Agence France-Presse:

©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.

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CRS reiterates call for humanitarian corridor in Haiti: "Aid must get through"

March 1, 2004, Baltimore, Md - With the resignation of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the arrival of rebel forces in Port-au-Prince, the situation remains tense, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) reported today. All humanitarian aid delivery has been suspended due to insecurity within the capital and on the nation's roads.
"We are calling on the government, the political opposition and the armed groups to help restore civil order as soon as possible so that we can reach those who are suffering," said Dula James, CRS Country Representative for Haiti. "This is a
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New Zealand provides emergency relief to Vanuatu

Report
Xinhua
WELLINGTON, Mar 1, 2004 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- New Zealand has announced an emergency relief worth of 70,000 NZ dollars (about 49,000 US dollars) for Cyclone-hit Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Marian Hobbs said in a statement Sunday that the money would be used to put together 3, 000 packages containing hygiene kits, matches, candles, water bottles, kitchen utensils and other items that would help people " begin to pick up their lives".

The relief kits would be distributed by the Red Cross as soon as possible.

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Central African Republic: Anti-polio drive begins in six provinces

Report
IRIN
BANGUI, 1 March (IRIN) - A three-day anti-polio immunisation campaign began on Monday in six provinces in the Central African Republic (CAR), a Health Ministry official told IRIN.
The director of preventive medicine and disease control at the ministry, Dr Abel Namssenmo, said the immunisation drive was initially scheduled for 23 to 28 February but was postponed due to a delay in funding.

Funds from the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Rotary Club as well as vaccines from the UN Children's Fund enabled the Health Ministry to begin the immunisation.

IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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Congo: Accord signed for safe passage of rail traffic in Pool

Report
IRIN
NAIROBI, 1 March (IRIN) - A tripartite agreement was signed on Thursday in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, in an effort to restart rail traffic in the still-insecure Pool department of southeastern Congo.
According to a government statement issued on Friday, the accord was signed by representatives of the army and police force, the state rail company (Chemin de fer Congo Ocean - CFCO) and "Ninja" rebels loyal to Rev Frederic Bitsangou, alias Ntoumi.

"I call on everyone to strictly adhere to this new engagement we have made for peace, so that we may attain

IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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RDC: La Grande-Bretagne octroie 2,3 millions de dollars

Report
IRIN
KINSHASA, le 1 mars (IRIN) - La Grande-Bretagne a octroyé une aide financière de 2.3 millions de dollars US à la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) pour l'assistance aux pays sinistrés, a indiqué vendredi l'ambassade britannique à Kinshasa, la capitale.
Cette assistance, divisée en trois tranches, a indiqué l'ambassade, provient du fonds d'aide d'urgence du ministre britannique de la coopération internationale.

Les deux premières tranches, respectivement de 745.600 et de 1,3 millions dollars US seront affectées à la coordination

IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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Morocco: HM King Mohammed VI instructs top meeting to consolidate emergency health plan in quake-stricken areas

AL HOCEIMA, Mar.01 - HM King Mohammed VI issued this Monday instructions to consolidate the emergency plan set forth to protect the health of families housed in tents and of the populations in the quake-stricken northeastern region.
HM the king who is in Al-Hoceima since Saturday in a camp pitched for the sovereign to closely follow up the relief and assistance services extended to quake-stricken populations in the northeastern provinces, gave his instructions to consolidate the emergency plan in order to face any contingency until daily life resumes normal in all the areas
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DRC: IRIN interview with social affairs minister Ingele Ifoto

Report
IRIN
KINSHASA, 1 March (IRIN) - Ingele Ifoto, minister of social affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), spoke with IRIN on Thursday regarding the development of a national strategy for social protection, following a conference on the matter that was held from 20 - 22 February.
The DRC, a vast central African country with some 60 million people, is in the midst of major transition: a government of national unity was inaugurated on 30 June 2003, ostensibly bringing an end to nearly five years of war and leading the country to national elections in 2005.
IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.

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Japan to extend more grant aid to Myanmar

Report
Xinhua
YANGON, Mar 1, 2004 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Japanese government will extend more grant aid to Myanmar to improve maternal and child health care services in rural areas of the country, according to a press release of the Japanese Embassy here Monday.

The grassroots grant assistance of 6.2 million US dollars through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will be for purchasing essential drugs, vaccines and test kits for HIV/AIDS among others, the release said.

Notes on the provision of the aid for launching the project was signed here on Monday between the Japanese Embassy

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Sudan: Parties extend ceasefire as talks continue

Report
IRIN
NAIROBI, 1 March (IRIN) - Sudanese warring parties have extended the ongoing ceasefire for another month, during which the parties are expected to hammer out pending issues on the negotiating table before a final peace deal is reached to end the country's 20-year civil war.
The government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/A (SPLM/A) on Saturday in Naivasha, Kenya, extended to the end of March the Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities, first signed in October 2002, a Sudanese government statement said.

Samson Kwaje, the official SPLM/A spokesman,

IRIN:

A selection of IRIN reports are posted on ReliefWeb. Find more IRIN news and analysis at http://www.irinnews.org

Une sélection d'articles d'IRIN sont publiés sur ReliefWeb. Trouvez d'autres articles et analyses d'IRIN sur http://www.irinnews.org

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Refer to the IRIN copyright page for conditions of use.

Cet article ne reflète pas nécessairement les vues des Nations Unies. Voir IRIN droits d'auteur pour les conditions d'utilisation.